Perennial question...C-Map NT vs. Navionics Gold?

matt_unique

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Furuno NetNav Vx2 chartplotter system and I can't seem to find definitive information about one over the other for use in New England.

I spoke to another Furuno dealer and he said he sells the same number of both...no clear preference based on his sales experience.

I welcome your opinions about what chip is better.

Thanks

--Matt

PS With the NetNav Vx2 you need to buy one or the other. Some say you can buy a unit configured to Navionics for example then convert it to C-Map if you prefer. Some also say this is not possible. So to avoid this question I will try to determine what chip I will use out of the gate.

thataway · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:30 pm Post subject:

I run both Navionics Gold (Lowrance--along with Nautipath) and C map max (Standard Horizon). The C map Max has better points of interest. This may be moot with Active Captain's developement.

I believe that you need to compare both in your areas. Be aware that C map is now owned by Jeppesen--who has an excellent reputation in other modes of cartography--and they have recalled some chips from a few years back for a minor problem. In the past C map was more responssive to problems and changes. When Jeff Siegel pointed out the problems with the C map charts of the Abacos, several of us--I believe including Jeff, contacted C map, and they changed the data base to the Lewis Explorer private chart database--which is far better. This showed me that the company really cared. I have also had them give me free upgrades of the planner series to use the C maps on my computer and layout courses ahead of time. Also C map has an exchange program for updating chips. ($90 or so dollars). They also have some mega wide charts. The one I am currently using shows from the Great Lakes and most of the inland waterways to S. Florida and most of the Gulf Coast--quite a bargin--and covers most of the waters I ply.

However, there are some inland waters, like Powell, which Navionics has better charts. I also have a Garmin plotter. I like to compare the charts and technologies.

So, look at areas where you boat now--and where you may boat--including the inland waters and rivers. Contact the company and ask for sample charts for both areas.

journey on · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:11 pm Post subject:

I have a JRC radar on Journey On which uses the C-Map chips. They work very well. So well in fact, that we've started using them to avoid small shallows, they're that accurate. Haven't got caught yet. Sometimes they will skip a level of resolution, but if you keep going up or down, the data is there.

We have them for the Great Lakes, Puget Sound and up to past Vancouver Island, and the Pacific from Washington to Mexico. That's only 5 chips. One can find discounts on the internet.

Furuno takes a different configuration chip from other C-Map plotters. So if you get the planner/reader which works with a PC, make sure that it's for Furuno.

Boris

matt_unique · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 11:17 pm Post subject: C-Map Max

I decided to go with the C-Map Max version. I will let you know how it looks when I have it up and running.

Thanks for the advice.

NORO LIM · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 10:33 am Post subject:

I'm reviving this thread because I'm interested in updating the charts on my Furuno NAVNET vx2 1824C chartplotter. It's configured for Navionics Gold charts. There is nothing wrong with my current set-up except that the chart cards have Navionics publication dates of 2006. After attempting to "navigate," so to speak, the web pages for both Furuno and Navionics, I decided my time would be much better spent talking to someone face to face. So I went to the SBS and chatted with the Furuno guys themselves, as well as with one of their dealers. (Apparently Navionics has no one at the show?)

Long story short: It appears the NAVNET vx2 chartplotters cannot handle any of the new Navionics Gold charts.

However, an appropriately configured Furuno NAVNET vx2 can use current C-Map charts, and my Furuno can be converted from Navionics to C-Map for $50.00.

Does anyone have experience with making this change?
How up-to-date are current C-Map charts likely to be compared to Navionics Gold charts published in 2006? Would the $50 plus the cost ($270?) of the C-Map charts I need be worth it?
Any significant learning curve issues with C-Map vs Navionics?

Thanks for any input.

journey on · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:05 pm Post subject:

Here's my opinion on C-Map, and see my post above.

C-Map gives you the same display as the NOAA charts, with some added detail. So there should be no learning curve, since you've already navigated with Navico (eponymous?) I've gotten to where I trust the C-Map charts way to much, and I have to be more careful. They're very good.

The main reason for this post is that I just learned that C-Map is now supplying Mega-wide charts on SD cards which can be read by any modern display, certainly the Navico line. They sell the entire West Coast, from Guatemala to Alaska for $270. That includes all the coastline of Canada. I don't know if this means that you can also use them in your PC, but I can use my existing C-Map chips in a PC through the reader they sold me. Most laptops have a SD card reader.

Boris

NORO LIM · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 3:29 pm Post subject:

Thanks, Boris.

The mega-wide North American chart is exactly what I would get. It's one card (no more switching half way up the Inside Passage) for less than I paid for the two I had to get originally.

May primary concern was (maybe still is, a little) about the conversion of my Furuno Chartplotter from Navionics to C-Map. The initial response I got from the Furuno rep at the SBS was "sure, you can get new Navionics Gold charts for your unit." I told him I had been totally unable to figure that out from the website which seemed to give contradictory information, and was glad to hear it was possible. Speaking of contradictory information . . . I walked across the aisle to an Electronics shop rep to see about getting the cards and was told "Nope, the Navnet vx2 chartplotters can't use the new Navionics cards."

We had a little pow-wow, and the Furuno rep was subsequently very apologetic, and assured me that he had been mistaken, that the other guy was correct, and that I would either have to buy a new chartplotter, or have mine converted for use with C-Map. My apprehension was moooostly allayed. I seem to remember that at the time of my purchase of the Furuno/Navionics unit, I was given the impression this was sort of a no-turning-back decision, or at least an expensive or complicated one to undo. If it's really only $50 and there are no technical issues with the conversion . . . I'm most of the way to talking myself into it.

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 8:48 pm Post subject:

Probably the most noticeable difference you will see is the updated POI information--which is excellent on C map. As far as navigation--not much has changed since 2006, such as rocks and land masses.

You will be somewhat dependent on the Furuno for the redraw rate--but that is a given for either chart type.

I have gone to the Garmin Side completely recently--although I was a Furuno owner for many years. In the last year Furuno has come out with very competitive--chartplotter/sounders and I think has gotten back in the small boat game again. (The Furuno product was always excellent, but a bit more expensive. The newer products are now competitive price wise.) It would appear that Furuno is going toward staying with the C maps, and that alone is a good reason to upgrade.

thataway · Posted: Sun Jan 26, 2014 9:17 pm Post subject:

Probably the most noticeable difference you will see is the updated POI information--which is excellent on C map. As far as navigation--not much has changed since 2006, such as rocks and land masses.

You will be somewhat dependent on the Furuno for the redraw rate--but that is a given for either chart type.

I have gone to the Garmin Side completely recently--although I was a Furuno owner for many years. In the last year Furuno has come out with very competitive--chartplotter/sounders and I think has gotten back in the small boat game again. (The Furuno product was always excellent, but a bit more expensive. The newer products are now competitive price wise.) It would appear that Furuno is going toward staying with the C maps, and that alone is a good reason to upgrade.

Big Mac · Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2014 7:43 pm Post subject: Jeppesen Plan2Nav

Recently went to the 2014 SBS. One of the booths I visited was the Jeppesen C-MAP. I told them I had a new IPad air and was looking for a map program. They suggested I download the free app Plan2Nav. My question is has anyone downloaded the map for the Northwest? It is a $39 download. The cost seems good, but I would like to hear from anyone using this map program. Thanks in advance for any responses. Bruce